Sunrise Service, Easter 2010, Cow and Calf Rocks, Ilkley Moor

Cecile and I went to The Sunrise Service at the Cow and Calf Rocks at Ilkley on Easter Sunday. 

One of our photographs and an article were to be published in the local paper.

On Easter Sunday Ilkley was still fast asleep when several cars from different corners of the town passed through the empty streets. It was after 6.00 am and they were all going in the direction of the little car park below the Cow and Calf Rocks.

 

Not only cars were there but also on the moors were a few brave walkers heading in that direction. It was still dark when at 6.30am the car park was full and around seventy people representing many of the churches in Ilkley greeted each other heartily. 

Gathered on the slopes by the famous Yorkshire rocks and waving colourfull ribbons everybody joined in the singing of the hymns. As the prayers continued the sun was rising and the group were taking in the light and dawn of the new day.

Rev. Dick Watson leading the service

 For a brief moment betweeen one cloud and another, the warm golden rays of the rising sun covered everything and everybody.

Ilkley Moor, Cow and Calf Area

Rev Dick Watson

On this moment  ' Thine be the Glory ' sounded really joyful on this very special Sunrise Service. 

Rev. Dick Watson, the curator of All Saints church who was leading the service for the first time was as amazed as all the other participants with the wonderfull spectacle nature had shown us. 

As we were departing the sun was hidden again in the thick cloud but below in the Wharfe valley we could see the suns rays coming through illuminating the fields and woodland. 

Very significant, bringing hope and proving 'Every cloud has a silver lining'

Maria Cecylia Paslawska  4th April 2010